Today I had my niece over to work on some Christmas “projects”. It all started out when her cousin (my goddaughter) decided that she wanted to make necklaces for her mom, Nona and Mom-Mom, with picture frames for her dad and two Pop-Pop’s, plus gifts for her cousin and assorted animals. I tried to redirect my goddaughter into making things for everyone instead of buying. Well, I guess I am a convincing salesperson because she bought it and I have been helping the girls make gifts for everyone!

A couple of weeks ago I had Allie over and we started making the “shells” of her projects. We first went shopping and she picked out what she wanted. I love that when we got to a certain point she looked at candles and said $5??!! I can’t buy that! Between the two of us and some 55% off AC More coupons, we got really good deals on presents for all the adults on her list!

Two weekends ago, I had both of the girls over. Bella is a little younger and I wasn’t sure how she was going to take to making crafts. I know Allie loves to make things, but it seems like both girls got the creativity genes!! I was so impressed with their selections and how good they were at working with my crafting things. Of course there were things that they needed help with, but overall they were the lead designers. I was just there to do the things that they couldn’t.

Today was just Bella and I and it was great to work with her one on one. They are both so funny and have big personalities, but at the same time are different in so many ways. Bella tells stories like no other kid. She loves to gossip and give her opinion on everything. Bella rolls her eyes a lot and can be dramatic in a more subtle way than Allie, if that makes sense!

Tomorrow is my day with my goddaughter. We have a lot to do because she is super ambitious! She was so thoughtful to have put together a list of people she wanted to buy for that she loves. (I did notice that my name was missing, but I am assuming that it’s just because she and I were creating the list together and not because she didn’t think of me. HAHA. I know it was!) I can’t wait to see how her projects turn out. She loves to craft almost as much as I do. I love when she asked me when she can come over and make something. She’s like my rent-a-kid! I get to do the fun things with her and then send her home. : )

Crafting with both of them has taught me patience. I am usually a perfectionist. This time, I sat back and let the girls pick what they wanted. At some points I asked, are you sure? But, I needed to keep in mind that this is their present. Crafting with both of them has taught me patience. I am usually a perfectionist. This time, I sat back and let the girls pick what they wanted. At some points I asked, are you sure? But, I needed to keep in mind that this is their present. I learned to let go and just watch them have fun. If they messed up, they just used a different color or added that “carrot” so they could put in the word they forgot. It was so simple. I need to be more like that in my crafting.

And I have. Yesterday, I went out of my comfort zone and did some more water coloring. I had done a piece for my mom for her birthday. When I saw it on the mantle with the other cards I actually said out loud, wow – it almost looks as good as a store bought card. Of course, my mom being the smartass that she is said to me – you’d give me something that isn’t good?? But, she knew what I meant. It’s hard for me to praise my work. Maybe because it’s so personal? Not sure. But, since I went out on a limb earlier in the month, I decided to try again. So, here is what the card front looks like so far. I have to mount it on some scrapbook paper and then put it on a card. (I know, what am I waiting for???)

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